Apparatus for tightening and closing of band-like closure hoops



Oct. 10, 1967 ON! x. 'KU 3,346,023 APPARATUS FOR TIGHTENING AND CLOSING OF BAND-LIKE CLOSURE HOOPS Filed May 9, 1966 INVENTOR amp 3 Sheets-Sheet I Oct. 10, 1967 x. KUONI 3,346,023

APPARATUS FOR TIGHTENING AND CLOSING OF-BAND-LIKE CLOSURE HOOPS Filed May 9, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet z V l T 13 ffa INVE TOR YER uom} X. APPARATUS FOR TIGHTENING AND CLOSING 0F BAND-LIKE CLOSURE HOOPS Filed May 9, 1966 INVENTOR Xnvaz Kuw':

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 3,346,023 APPARATUS FOR TIGHTENING AND CLOSING OF BAND-LIKE CLOSURE HOOPS Xaver Kuoni, Zurich, Switzerland, assignor' to Borb- Wanner AG., Zurich, Switzerland, a corporation of Switzerland Filed May 9, 1966, Ser. No. 548,654 Claims priority, application Switzerland, May 14, 1965, 6,767/65 3 Claims. (Cl. 14093.4)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for tightening and closing band-like closure hoops wherein the ends of the band are arranged in overlapping fashion. Such apparatus comprises an elevationally displaceable clamp unit for clamping a closure sleeve about the overlapping band ends, said clamp unit in its rest and clamping position engaging with a closure sleeve to position the latter in straddling fashion with respect to the overlapping band ends in order to positively prevent any lateral shifting of such overlapping band ends during tensioning thereof. As a result, these overlapping band ends are effectively retained in precise overlapping relationship until such time as the straddled closure sleeve is fixedly applied by the clamp unit to the thus aligned and held overlapping band ends.

The present invention has reference to an improved apparatus for the tightening or tensioning of flexible clo sure bands or straps formed into hoops wherein closure elements interconnect the superimposed band ends through the action of a so-called clamp assembly or unit.

Apparatuses of this type are already well known to the art in a number of different physical constructions. In most of these tightening and closure devices the clamp assembly in its rest position is located such that it trees a slot or opening above the base plate in order to insert the band, the band ends first being engaged by such clamp assembly during the actual closing movement thereof. With such type devices one problem exists that the bandlike closure hoop, during the clamping or tightening operation, can move somewhat transverse to its lengthwise direction, therefore coming partially out of the region of the closure elements. Consequently, both band ends no longer overlap exactly, so that a faultless connection is rendered more diificult or, in fact, made impossible. To prevent such drawback it is already known to provide the tightening device with special band-holding or retaining mechanisms. Since the latter should also function reliably even with a slight canted or inclined position of the band and with pronounced band tension they are therefore very complicated and expensive. Thus, the entire apparatus costs are increased and these band-retaining mechanisms themselves are susceptible to malfunction and, in many instances, must be actuated through independent manipulations, or else they at least make it more difiicult to remove the apparatus after carrying out the closure operation.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved tightening and closure apparatus for band-like closure hoops which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.

A more specific object of the present invention relates to the provision of an improved apparatus for tightening and closing band-like closure hoops which, while dispensing with additional separate band-retaining elements or guides, still prevents displacement of the closure band transverse to its lengthwise direction during the tensioning operation, therefore assuring that the superimposed band 3,345,023 Patented Oct. 10, 1967 portions in the zone of the closure elements squarely lie on top of one another.

Generally speaking, the present invention is characterized by the features that, the clamp assembly or unit in its rest and clamping position extends over the superimposed portions of the closure band, and adjusting means are provided in order to raise the clamping unit to permit insertion of the closure band.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and drawings in Which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic side view of a preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus in its rest and clamping position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, yet depicting the apparatus at such time that the clamping assembly or unit is raised;

FIGURE 3 is a schematic side view of the apparatus depicted in FIGURE 1 as seen from the opposite side thereof;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1, taken along the line AA thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus depicted in FIGURE 2, taken along the line BB thereof; and

FIGURE 6 illustrates a detail of the clamping unit in its closed position.

It is to be understood that the depicted apparatus serves for producing band closure hoops which are drawn about boxes or other packages, whereby the band ends are held together or clamped by means of a suitable closure sleeve or seal. Such type apparatus is described in United States Patent 2,813,441, granted Nov. 19, 1957, invented by Jakob Rosenberger and Erich Borb, and entitled Hoop Iron Tightening and Clamping Device, and a similar type apparatus is also described in my co-pending United States application, Serial No. 428,720, filed Jan. 29, 1965, and entitled Tightening and Closure Device for Band- Like Closure Hoops. Inasmuch as the construction of the tightening and closure mechanism can be considered to be known to the art, for instance as set forth in the aforementioned United States patent or the co-pending patent application, as Well as for example in Swiss Patent 322,099, the structure thereof will not be explained with any great particularity. Therefore, only enough of the physical structure of the inventive closure apparatus will be considered in detail as believed necessary to properly understand the underlying teachings of the present invention.

In particular, the depicted apparatus of the exemplary embodiment has closure members 1a for closure seals which collectively form the so-called clamp assembly or unit 1 which as an entity is supported to be elevationally displaceable between the guides 2. A tensioning roller 3 is rotatably mounted at the housing 4 of the apparatus and cooperates by means of its peripheral surface with the closure band 13 lying upon the base plate 7 (FIG- URE 5), in the usual manner. To raise this tensioning roller 3 a tiltable tensioning lever 5 is manually pressed upwardsin other words, in the direction of the arrow Eso that it comes to bear against the housing handle 6, whereby the aforesaid tensioning roller 3 is raised and forms a gap or space for introducing the closure band 13.

Specifically, due to this movement of the manuallyoperated tensioning or tiltable lever 5, the entire clamp assembly 1 is also simultaneously raised and shifted up wardly by means of an angle lever 12, to such an extent that a gap 10 is freed at the region of the base plate 7 for the lateral introduction of the closure band 13, as such is best shown in FIGURES 2 and 5. Tensioning lever 5 is pivotably mounted at the housing 4 by means of a pivot pin or bolt 11, upon the latter of which there is also seated the tensioning roller 3. On the other hand, the angle lever 12 is pivotably mounted at a bolt or pivot pin 16. A roller 17 at the end of the arm 18 of lever presses against the angle lever 12, the free or outer end 19 of which bears against a screw head 20. The screw of this screw head 20 piercingly extends through the clamp assembly 1 and causes the entire aforesaid clamp assembly to be raised when raising the tensioning lever 5.

The closure sleeves or seals 14 are located in the form of a stack 25 adjacent the clamp assembly -1 and, in the usual manner, in open condition are individually inserted into the clampunit or assembly 1 as soon as the previous seal-closure operation has been completed. After the closure band 13 has been deposited into the gap there is thus situated at the clamp assembly 1 a still open closure sleeve 14 of essentially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, as such is best evident by inspecting FIG- URES 4 and 5. After releasing the tensioning lever 5, the clamp assembly 1 together with the closure sleeve 14 returns back into the starting position depicted in FIG URES 1 and 4, so that both inclined disposed legs 14a of the closure sleeve 14 come to lie in straddling fashion over the overlapping band ends. Since the central web of such closure sleeve 14 is only as wide or slightly less wide than the closure band, both of the superimposed band portions are guided and centered by the depicted open closure sleeve 14 during tensioning or tightening.

Due to a to-and-fro movement of the tension lever 8 in the direction ofthe double-headed arrow F, the bandlike closure hoop is tensioned in the usual manner. Transmission of the rocking movement of the tensioning lever 8 to the tensioning roller 3 takes place via a ratchet mechanism which freely revolves in one direction of rotation and is locked by a locking pawl in the other direction, so that the temporary tensioning of the band is maintained even when moving back the tensioning lever 8. Upon' reaching the desired tension of this band 13 the closure lever 9 is rocked in the direction of the arrow D whereby, in known manner, the clamp jaws 1a of the clamp unit 1 are closed and the articulated elements 1b associated with the clamp assembly 1 assume the position depicted in FIGURE 6. The clamp assembly 1 brings about flexing of both legs 14a of the closure sleeve 14- about both superimposed band portions and a deformation or recessing of the closure sleeve so that there is established by the latter a tight connection or clamping together of the overlapping band portions such that they cannot move. At the end of the closure operation the band end leading to the usual supply roll is severed or at least scored, for instance by mechanism such as set forth in my aforementioned co-pending United States application, whereupon the closure lever 9 is again rocked back into its starting position. By means of the lever 21 a new closure sleeve 14 is displaced from the stack into the clamp assembly or unit 1.

In order to remove the apparatus from the finished band-like closure hoop the tensioning lever 5 is pressed in the direction of the arrow E. Consequently, the ten sioning roller 3 is lifted away from the closure band or hoop 13 and at the same time the closure members 1a of the clamp unit 1 are raised, so that they again free the gap or space 10 and the apparatus can be laterally shifted away.

Instead of the manual apparatus depicted by way of example in the drawings the drive for tensioning the closure band and/ or the closing of the closure sleeve can be carried out pneumatically, hydraulically or electrically.

The same principles of the invention described hereincan also be conceivably used with apparatuses in which the connection of the band ends is perfected without utilizing closure sleeves or in apparatus in which nonmetallic closure bands are employed. In the case of apparatus which works without closure sleeves, the clamp assembly is constructed such that due to its configuration it assumes the same function as the closure sleeve with the apparatus of the present invention.

While there is shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practisedwithin the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for tightening and closing band-like closure hoops wherein the ends of the band are arranged in overlapping fashion, comprising an elevationally displaceable clamp unit means for clamping a closure sleeve about the overlapping band ends, a supply means for supplying closure sleeves, said clamp unit means in its rest and clamping position engaging with one of said closure sleeves to position the latter in straddling fashion with respect to the overlapping band ends in order to positively prevent any lateral shifting of said overlapping band ends during tensioning of saidoverlapping band ends, whereby said overlapping band ends are effectively retained in precise overlapping relationship until such time as the straddling closure sleeve is fixedly applied by said clamp unit means to the thus aligned and retained overlapping band ends, and adjusting means for raising said clamp unit means in order to enable insertion of the band.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said adjusting means including a manually-operated lever and intermediate members operated by said manually-operated lever for raising said clamp unit means to enable insertion of said band.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, further including a displaceable band-tensioning mechanism, said manuallyoperated lever cooperating with said band-tensioning mechanism so that when operating said manuallyoperated lever for the purpose of changing the elevational position of said clamp unit means said band-tensioning mechanism is simultaneously raised into its ineffectual position away from the band.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,112,585 3/1938 Wright 140-93.4 2,536,536 1/1951 Childress et a1. 14093.4 X 3,198,218 8/1965 Ericsson et al. 140-93.4 3,232,217 2/1966 Harmon et al. -30

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

MILTON S. MEHR, Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR TIGHTENING AND CLOSING BAND-LIKE CLOSURE HOOPS WHEREIN THE ENDS OF THE BAND ARE ARRANGED IN OVERLAPPING FASHION, COMPRISING AN ELEVATIONALLY DISPLACEABLE CLAMP UNIT MEANS FOR CLAMPING A CLOSURE SLEEVE ABOUT THE OVERLAPPING BAND ENDS, A SUPPLY MEANS FOR SUPPLYING CLOSURE SLEEVES, SAID CLAMP UNIT MEANS IN ITS REST AND CLAMPING POSITION ENGAGING WITH ONE OF SAID CLOSURE SLEEVES TO POSITION THE LATTER IN STRADDLING FASHION WITH RESPECT TO THE OVERLAPPING BAND ENDS IN ORDER TO POSITIVELY PREVENT ANY LATERAL SHIFTING OF SAID OVERLAPPING BAND BAND ENDS DURING TENSIONING OF SAID OVERLAPPING BAND ENDS, WHEREBY SAID OVERLAPPING BAND ENDS ARE EFFECTIVELY RETAINED IN PRECISE OVERLAPPING RELATIONSHIP UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE STRADDLING CLOSURE SLEEVE IS FIXEDLY APPLIED BY SAID CLAMP UNIT MEANS TO THE THUS ALIGNED AND RETAINED OVERLAPPING BAND ENDS, AND ADJUSTING MEANS FOR RAISING SAID CLAMP UNIT MEANS IN ORDER TO ENABLE INSERTION OF THE BAND. 